More importantly, there are three people: Jesus Burgess, Van Augur, Lafitte.
In the Pure Gold incident, they fought the entire battle without flinching or betraying anyone.
Afterwards, they didn't inquire about Pure Gold's whereabouts; they continued training and guard duty as usual.
Roy understood.
He stepped out of the crowd and waved to the center of the field.
" Lafitte, Van Augur, Jesus Burgess, come here."
The three were taken aback, then immediately stopped what they were doing and ran over.
"Captain!"
Roy glanced at them and said, "Come with me."
The three looked at each other, wondering what was going on, and quickly followed.
Roy led them to his treasure vault.
Two genetically engineered soldiers stood at the entrance and immediately saluted Roy upon seeing him.
"Captain!"
Roy nodded and pushed open the door to enter.
Inside was a long, dimly lit corridor with a heavy metal door every few meters on either side.
Each door was marked with a number and name, as well as some incomprehensible symbols.
Lafitte and the other two followed behind, their curiosity burning, but none of them dared to ask.
Roy stopped in front of the innermost door and placed his hand on the scanner.
"Beep -- Verification successful."
The metal door slowly opened.
Inside was a small room with transparent display cases embedded in the four walls.
Each display case contained a fruit, varying in shape and color, but each one emitted an eerie glow.
Lafitte's pupils contracted. " Devil Fruit?!"
Van Augur was also stunned, staring at the fruit, his breathing quickening.
Jesus Burgess was even more direct, his eyes widening like saucers. "So many?!"
Roy leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and said calmly:
"From today onwards, the three of you are officially becoming core prospective members of Hachinosu."
The three of them were taken aback.
Core prospective members?
"I've seen everything you've done."
Roy said,
"Your strength has improved, and your loyalty is not an issue. Therefore, I'm giving you a chance—"
Roy pointed to the display cases.
Choose one fruit as a reward.
The three exchanged a glance, and each saw ecstasy in the other's eyes.
Lafitte took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and went into the room.
He looked through each display case, his gaze lingering on each fruit for a moment before moving away.
Some fruits exude an eerie aura, some look ordinary, and some are unsettling just to look at.
Lafitte walked around for a moment, then hesitated.
Van Augur also walked around, and was equally hesitant.
Jesus Burgess was the most straightforward. He walked around and came back, scratching his head. "Captain, these fruits are all good, but I don't know which one to choose..."
Roy laughed, "What's wrong, getting overwhelmed by the choices?"
The three nodded sheepishly.
Roy walked into the room and pointed to one of the display cases. " Lafitte, this one suits you."
Lafitte walked over and read the words on the label.
[ Paramecia - Clone-Clone Fruit ]
" The Clone-Clone Fruit?" Lafitte uttered.
Roy nodded. "Eat this fruit, and you can transform into anyone you've ever seen."
Face, body, voice—a complete copy.
Combine your hypnotic skills and intelligence gathering abilities--"
He paused, then looked at Lafitte meaningfully.
"You will become the world's top spy."
Lafitte's eyes lit up.
He stared at the fruit, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Captain, I choose this one."
Roy nodded and looked at Jesus Burgess.
"Your choice speaks for itself. The Strong-Strong Fruit is the perfect fit for you."
Jesus Burgess followed his gaze and saw the fruit lying quietly in the display case, its label reading—
[ Paramecia - Strong-Strong Fruit ]
" The Strength Fruit?" Jesus Burgess scratched his head.
"Eat it, and your strength will increase exponentially. Combined with your current physique—"
Roy looked him up and down.
"Smashing a mountain with one punch is not a dream."
Jesus Burgess's eyes lit up instantly. "I choose this one! This is it!"
He grabbed the fruit as if afraid someone would snatch it away.
Roy looked at Van Augur.
As for you, Van Augur,
The Door-Door Fruit —allows the user to open doors anywhere, enabling both offense and escape; it's ideal for snipers.
Roy pointed to a display case next to him, inside which was a gray fruit.
Van Augur stared at the fruit in silence for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"Captain, I... actually have a fruit I've been eyeing."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Van Augur took a deep breath:
"When I was a bounty hunter in the West Blue, I met someone."
Devil Fruit User can instantly move within a certain range.
He escaped from my gun—not because I missed, but because he teleported too fast.
He looked up at Roy.
"I want that fruit."
"With the Warp-Warp Fruit and my sniping skills, no one can escape my gun."
Roy looked at him and smiled.
"Okay. It's good that you have a goal."
Roy stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then said, "I'll have Crocodile help you gather information about that ability user."
Once we find him, you, Lafitte, Jesus Burgess will go together and capture him alive.
Van Augur was taken aback. "Capture alive?"
" Hachinosu has the technology to extract Devil Fruit directly from Devil Fruit users."
There's no need to wait for him to die, nor for the fruit to regenerate.
All three of them were stunned.
Extracting Devil Fruit directly from living people?!
This technology...
That's absolutely incredible!
Roy nodded in satisfaction at their shocked expressions.
"So, just work for me without worry. You'll definitely get your share of the benefits."
The three exchanged a glance and then knelt down on one knee in unison.
"Captain, our lives depend on you!"
Roy waved his hand. "Get up. Don't kneel all the time."
The three stood up, their eyes filled with fervor.
Roy pointed to the fruits:
"Once you've chosen, then eat."
Go back and digest this properly. If you don't understand anything, come and ask me.
Lafitte and Jesus Burgess immediately grabbed the fruit and took a bite.
"Vomit--"
Both of them gagged simultaneously.
"This is awful!" Jesus Burgess' face turned green.
Lafitte wasn't much better off; she covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
Van Augur watched from the sidelines, glad he hadn't made the choice.
Roy suppressed a laugh, "Alright, even if it tastes bad, you have to finish it. Let's go back and digest."
The three followed him out of the treasure vault, still savoring the nauseating taste the whole way.
Roy gave a brief pointer on how to develop the Devil Fruit's abilities.
" Lafitte, your Clone-Clone Fruit, stop thinking only about changing faces."
Body shape, voice, and habitual movements must all be practiced until they are perfect.
It's best used in conjunction with hypnosis; even temperament can be imitated.
Lafitte nodded and carefully took notes.
" Jesus Burgess, the Strong-Strong Fruit isn't for you to just go all out."
Strength is fundamental, but technique is key.
You're physically strong enough now, but your fighting style is too crude.
Go find Bullet and ask him to teach you a few moves.
Jesus Burgess chuckled, "Understood!"
After giving his instructions, Roy waved them away.
The three left excitedly, discussing their new ability as they walked.
Roy watched their retreating figures, shook his head, and turned back to his office.
A stack of documents was piled on the table, waiting for his approval.